us Flashcards
(33 cards)
What was the Spanish-American War of 1898?
A war between the United States and Spain.
What was one of the main causes of the Spanish-American War?
USS Maine Explosion.
What event fueled public anger in the U.S. prior to the Spanish-American War?
The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor.
What was the U.S. response to the explosion of the USS Maine?
Blamed Spain for the explosion.
What was ‘Yellow Journalism’?
Sensationalist journalism that exaggerated stories to create public support for the war.
What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War?
The U.S. won, and Spain ceded control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S.
Why is the Spanish-American War important?
It marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, signaling the rise of the U.S. as a global power.
What was the U.S. Nation-Building Policy in Cuba?
The U.S. decided to exert control over Cuba without making it a formal part of the U.S.
What were the two approaches U.S. leaders considered for Cuba?
- Incorporation * Protectorate
What reforms did the U.S. implement during its occupation of Cuba (1898-1902)?
- Improved infrastructure * Sanitation * Education * Public health system
What was the Platt Amendment (1901)?
An amendment to the Cuban constitution forced by the U.S.
What were the key provisions of the Platt Amendment?
- Limited Cuban sovereignty * U.S. intervention rights * Guantánamo Bay lease
What was the impact of the Platt Amendment?
It guaranteed U.S. dominance over Cuba’s political and economic affairs.
What was the Guatemalan Revolution (1944-1954)?
A period of democratic reforms and social changes in Guatemala, including land redistribution.
What was the U.S. response to the Guatemalan Revolution?
The U.S. orchestrated a coup through the CIA to overthrow President Jacobo Árbenz.
What was the main idea of the Kennan Memorandum on Latin America?
The U.S. needed to prioritize suppressing communist influence, even supporting authoritarian regimes.
What was the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916-1924)?
The U.S. military occupied the Dominican Republic.
What were the consequences of the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic?
It strengthened the military institutions of the Dominican Republic.
Who was Rafael Trujillo?
A dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic.
How did U.S. relations with Trujillo change over time?
Initially supported him due to his anti-communist stance; later strained due to human rights abuses.
What was the significance of the 1965 U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic?
It reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to preventing communism in the Western Hemisphere.
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)?
A failed attempt by CIA-trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro.
What was the outcome of the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
The invasion failed and strengthened Castro’s position.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)?
A tense standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba.
